How international students are cashing in on part-time opportunities in Korea

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How international students are cashing in on part-time opportunities in Korea

Published: 17 Mar. 2026, 13:36

YOON SEUNG-JIN
[email protected]

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

Lea Maxima Septinus from Germany makes coffee at a cafe. [LEA MAXIMA SEPTINUS]

Camila Daniela Paez Rubiano, an international student studying mechanical and biomedical engineering at Ewha Womans University, is also known by the nickname “master of part-time jobs.”

She first started working part-time as a kitchen assistant four years ago to earn money while studying in Korea. Since then, she has taken on various part-time jobs, ranging from working as staff at PC bangs (internet cafes) to serving as a server at several restaurants.

Based on her four years of experience with part-time work, Paez Rubiano says that finding a job as a foreign student in Korea can be complicated, and the experience can sometimes feel both rewarding and unfair.

“The documentation process is such a long journey and pretty complicated for international students, and I’ve faced discrimination as an expat,” Paez Rubiano told the Korea JoongAng Daily.

“However, there are many things I learned from working part-time that helped me grow along the way as an international student here.”

Paez Rubiano is one of the growing numbers of international students taking on part-time jobs in Korea.

According to data released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics in December last year, the number of international students working in the country was 56,000, a 71.8 percent jump from the 2024 figure of 33,000.

Under current visa regulations, international students are allowed to work up to 30 hours per week, depending on their Korean language proficiency and the degree program.

The Korea JoongAng Daily spoke with three international students currently working part-time in Korea — Paez Rubiano from Colombia, Lea Maxima Septinus from Germany and Iskandarova Mehrona from Tajikistan — to share their experiences, challenges and advice for those who may be new to the country and hoping to find part-time jobs.

International students cook at a food stall at the Sokcho Central Market in Gangwon. [SON SUNG-BAE]

Q. What part-time job are you currently doing, and what exactly are your responsibilities?

A. Paez Rubiano: I'm working as a server at a restaurant in Apgujeong. My basic responsibilities are taking orders, delivering food and preparing tables for other customers.

Septinus: I’m doing two part-time jobs. I work at a bakery and a cafe. These days, I’m slowly learning how to make different beverages.

Mehrona: I’m currently working as a part-time staff member in the journalism and broadcasting department at my university. My responsibilities include interviewing students and creating video content to promote our university.

How did you find your part-time job?

Paez Rubiano: At first, I used Albamon to find part-time jobs, but it’s more for Koreans than foreigners, so I started using Craigslist more. There, employers look for foreign employees, and most of them already know the process of hiring foreign workers. So I’d recommend looking for more foreigner-friendly platforms.

Septinus: I applied to jobs on Albamon that said they were looking for foreign workers, but somehow the in-app application didn’t really work. So, I just walked into the cafe and gave them my resume.

For the bakery job, when I visited the bakery during lunchtime, they asked if I was a student, whether I could speak Korean, and a few other personal questions, and asked if I could work there.

Mehrona: At my university, there was a contest for students where we had to make a short video and post it on Instagram with the theme “A Day in My Life in Korea as a Student.” The video that received the most views would win first place and a cash prize.

My video ended up getting the most views, so I won the contest. After the award ceremony, they invited me to their office and offered me a part-time job.

Camila Daniela Paez Rubiano, right, pours beer at a restaurant. [CAMILA DANIELA PAEZ RUBIANO]

How was the interview, and what questions were you asked?

Paez Rubiano: Nothing really special. They just asked me whether I had experience and where I lived.

Septinus: I was asked pretty typical interview questions like, “Do you have prior experience making coffee?” and “If there’s a problem with your coworkers, how would you handle it?”

I answered that I like going to cafes and that I enjoy making coffee and baking at home. Even though I didn’t really have experience, I tried to show that I was truly interested in it.

Did you prepare anything before starting the job, such as a visa or documents? Any tips?

Paez Rubiano: The process is complicated. In the contract you sign with your boss, it also needs to state which days you will work and how many hours you will work, because depending on your Topik level, you are limited by those hours.

After that, the contract needs to be signed by your manager. You also need to get a photocopy of the manager’s ID card and the business registration certificate and bring them to the university along with the contract.

With those three documents, the university will issue another paper confirming that they approve you to do the part-time job. The dates and working hours must match exactly what is written in the contract.

Once you receive the university’s signature, you can submit the documents to the immigration office. They will check everything again, and if everything is in order, they will approve your part-time work.

Septinus: It was especially hard for me because I wanted to work right after arriving in Korea. So, I prepared for a working holiday visa before switching to a student visa so I could start working before applying to school.

To get the working holiday visa, you need to prepare your accommodation and flights in advance, because it takes some time. I also had to submit my insurance, bank statement and travel plans.

A Vietnamese student slices green peppers at a restaurant. [SON SUNG-BAE]

Have you experienced any barriers or discrimination while working part-time?

Paez Rubiano: Well, there are many stories. I was once fired on my first day because I had a miscommunication problem with a customer while working.

I got a call at midnight from my boss telling me I wasn’t a good fit.

Also, some Korean customers refuse to talk to foreign employees when we take orders, and sometimes they yell at us in situations we can’t control.

I was also involved in two cases where my bosses harassed me, so I had to quit. There are too many stories related to discrimination, but I can’t tell all of them today.

Septinus: I haven’t had really bad situations. But sometimes mothers ask their kids to speak to me in English to practice. Sometimes it feels like discrimination because they’re doing it just because I’m a foreigner.

Mehrona: There was also a situation that felt a little unfair to me. Once, I had an accident and fell on the stairs in the subway, injuring my leg. I called my workplace to explain that I needed to go to the hospital and rest for the day. After that, they told me not to come to work anymore.

At that time, I felt that the situation was especially difficult for me as an international student. However, these experiences also helped me become stronger and more confident in dealing with challenges while living abroad.

Are you satisfied with the hourly wage and working conditions?

Paez Rubiano: Yes. Compared to other countries, I think it’s good. Unlike in some cultures, we don’t depend on tips. You just do your job and receive a secure wage instead of relying on customers’ tips.

Also, when you work for a company, they have to register you for national health insurance. For students, it’s usually around 72,000 won ($48), but because I’m working, they deduct only about 30,000 won from my salary, which makes it cheaper.

When you work more than around 20 to 25 hours a week, you can also receive additional meal allowances. With those benefits, the hourly wage can go up to around 12,000 won. I think that’s a good regulation in Korea for part-time work.

Septinus: For me, the best part is the people. I don’t have many Korean friends, so working at the cafe gave me more insight into Korean culture. My coworkers teach me things, and we talk about many topics. Sometimes they buy food for me too.

I also enjoy free drinks at the cafe. Our cafe drinks are really tasty. Recently, we introduced a new seasonal menu, and we tested different drinks together to decide which one was the best. I strongly recommend our tangerine-matcha drink.

Lea Maxima Septinus from Germany makes coffee at a cafe. [LEA MAXIMA SEPTINUS]

Any tips for international students who want to work part-time?

Paez Rubiano: Don’t take things personally. This is something many people experience when they start working here. For example, customers may refuse to order from you or give you strange looks.

It’s important not to let these experiences affect your mental health.

Another tip is that if the work environment is toxic, it’s better to leave. I once worked in a place where my two bosses harassed me, and it got so bad that I had to quit.

If you don’t feel comfortable in a workplace, it’s better to leave rather than stay and keep dealing with it.

Mehrona: I recommend preparing the necessary documents in advance so you can make sure your work schedule does not affect your studies.

And don't be afraid to try different jobs and gain experience.

Even if some situations are difficult at first, they can help you grow, become more independent, and adapt better to life in Korea.

BY YOON SEUNG-JIN [[email protected]]

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How international students are cashing in on part-time opportunities in Korea

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